Michael Hawkins Jr. threw for 162 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a fourth score as No. 5 Oklahoma beat Kent State 44-0 on Saturday in Norman, Okla.
The Sooners outgained the Golden Flashes 355-135, holding Kent State to 17 rushing yards.
Hawkins made his first start of the season after Heisman Trophy candidate John Mateer broke a bone in his throwing hand early in the Sept. 20 win over Auburn. Mateer finished that game, but he underwent surgery a few days after the victory.
Oklahoma wasn’t the only team without its starting quarterback as Kent State’s Dru DeShields was held out of the game with an unspecified injury. Devin Kargman made his first start since 2023, going 8 of 16 for 74 yards and an interception.
The Sooners (5-0) scored on each of their first five possessions, starting with Hawkins’ 30-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna on their first drive.
The drive was a costly one, though.
Two plays before the touchdown, wide receiver Keontez Lewis suffered an apparent neck injury after Hawkins’ pass sailed over the back of the end zone. Lewis ran headfirst into the brick wall beyond the end zone.
Lewis was evaluated at the stadium, which “proved promising” according to an Oklahoma spokesman, before being transported to a local hospital.
Sategna finished with four catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Sooners. He also had 97 punt return yards.
Tate Sandell hit three field goals, including a 55-yarder late in the first half to send the Sooners into the break leading 23-0.
Oklahoma came into the game ranked second nationally in total defense despite being the only team in FBS without a takeaway.
That changed early in the third quarter, when R Mason Thomas stripped Kargman on a sack and Gracen Halton picked up the fumble and returned it four yards for a touchdown to put the Sooners up 30-0.
Jaydan Hardy intercepted Kargman later in the quarter.
Kent State (1-4) has dropped four consecutive games and has not beaten an FBS opponent since 2022.
Oklahoma recorded five sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
Freshman Tory Blaylock ran for 78 yards on 15 carries to lead the Sooners.
